‘The L Word’ Breaks an Unexpected Barrier
In its 4th season, the popular Showtime series The L Word tells the story of a group of lesbians who live (and love) in Los Angeles. I’ve watched the series on and off since its inception.
The L Word broke an enormous barrier when it began depicting lesbian lives on television. The second barrier it breaks is this: The show features a number of 40+ women characters who are sexy and actually have sex lives. Can you believe it? The 40+ members of the cast are:
Cybill Shepherd, age 57
Pam Grier (Jackie Brown), age 58
Jennifer Beals (Flashdance), age 43
Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God), age 42
It’s probably no coincidence that ‘older’ women are hot on this show because Ilene Chaiken, the creator and executive producer of The L Word, was in her 40s when she launched the series.
When Cybill Shepherd recently accepted an award for her work in the series, she said:
“I looooove doing The L Word. Imagine a woman of my age with a sex life! And on television!”
Here’s the video of her uttering those words. Matlin and Grier also attended the ceremony.
(Pictured above, from left, are Matlin, Beals and Shepherd.)
April 18th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Pam Grier is in it, wow. Got to watch that now. Just as soon as I’ve managed to track it down- after 2 years in the US, I still haven’t mastered negotiating all those billions of TV channels.
April 18th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Why are people astonished that women over a certain age have full lives that happen to include great sex lesbian or otherwise??? Are our feelings, physical needs and intimacy supposed to atrophy, slowly turn to dust? I am not “hot”, enhanced, have a trainer, had a face lift nor am I on TV for sure….but I am in love and with that love comes sex….no matter my age. Good for the show for its success…it is a good show; I do watch it.
April 18th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I think it is wonderful to have this type of social barriers broken. I think so many are in place due to lack of information or understanding. We generally live with our preconceived thoughts or feelings. Through a TV show or what ever we can see beyond those preconceived ideas. Personally, I am very glad about the sex after 40. lol
bill
April 18th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Rhea – First things first – thanks for visiting my blog. Drop on by any old time.
Secondly – I thought I was the only person in America who watched “The L Word”. Apparently not. It’s got great writing and a fantastic cast. It also has changed my perception of the lesbian lifestyle. It’s not all pickup trucks and baggy pants. lol Lesbian or not, these women DO show that you can be “older” (and by older I mean – NOT 25) and be beautiful and strong. It is a good role model for women of all ages.
Lastly – nice blog, btw.
April 18th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Huh? What? I’m allowed to have a sex life now that I’m over 40? And here I was pretending I didn’t even remember what sex was!
PS: Thanks for stopping by and for your comment.
April 18th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Marlee Matlin!? Gosh, I haven’t heard from her in forever! I’ve heard that the show is really good, but I haven’t even thought to check it out. Maybe I will give it a shot since it seems to keep coming up in discussions.
April 18th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Alice: Yup, Pam Grier. She is one of the few women in the cast who plays a straight woman.
Rosemary: It shows that when you women (and people other than white men) break into Hollywood you get to tell all kinds of stories. Glad you like the show.
Bill: Thanks for visiting and for chiming in.
CruiserMel: Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like it here! The show has been renewed for a fifth season, so rest assured, you are far from the only one who watches it!
Jazz: Yup, it’s ok to have sex.
Sugar: Yep, Marlee Matlin. And I have to tell you, she is the hottest of the bunch!
April 18th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Wow, to think that people in this country could see women over 40 as sexual beings? What will they think of next?!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’ll most definitely be back.
April 18th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I’m looking forward to watching season 4! I’ve no idea when it will come to Norway, though, after summer maybe.
Love your blog! I’ll definately be back.
April 18th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
I love that show, it’s beautiful! I can’t wait to see the 4th season.
ps. It was Flashdance not Fame
April 18th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Velvet: Thanks for visiting and commenting.
HB and Robin: Season 4 is amazing. It’s where you’ll see Marlee and Cybill.